Force pinch Will Genia from Reds

Justin Chadwick
April 28, 2012

AAP

Superstar Wallabies halfback Will Genia will quit the Queensland Reds at the end of the Super Rugby season to link up with the Western Force.

And in another massive coup for the Force, champion flanker David Pocock is rumoured to be on the verge of re-signing with the Perth-based franchise, while veteran lock Nathan Sharpe will consider playing on in 2013.

Genia has been a mainstay of the Wallabies and Reds for the past few seasons and is widely considered the premier scrum-half in world rugby.

But it seems a hefty asking price has forced him out of Queensland's set-up.

Genia reportedly wanted upwards of $400,000 per season to stay at the Reds, who were set to face a battle to retain all of their star-studded squad.

The Reds confirmed Genia's defection on Saturday night, saying the 24-year-old had agreed to terms with the Force, whose superior financial offer won over the No.9.

However, Genia can't put pen to paper until his Australian Rugby Union deal is sorted and Force chief executive Vern Reid was reluctant to confirm the terms of the deal had been agreed upon.